What it means...

So this past week has been God-moving and I have realized a lot of things. During the 24/7 prayer day, I could feel God starting amazing things on this campus and also in my life as well. Prayer is really moving on this campus and it will continue to do so. Unity will continue to be established in God's timing. Personally God has been convicting me of not walking in the light that I should be walking in and being lukewarm. Even though I am in school, I can't put Christ on the back burner like I usually do. We are to Love God and Love Others. I wish more people would realize to just walk the walk instead of talking the talk. The only way we can love others is to love God first. I am here on this campus and world to do one thing: make difference in lives of people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Nothing else really matters other than the Love that God freely gives to His sons and daughters. I want to be able to step out into that light and offer that kind of love to others. Even though it is hard at times to love certain people, we have to do it because God loves them. It says in Galatians 6:2, "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." God wants us to help each other through hard times and carry the burdens of one another. We should not judge each other because it may turn back around on us when we realize we haven't acted in a very good way. Mistakes and screw ups happen in our lives and we can't always be perfect. That is why we just need to love each other and give grace that is deserved even if you dislike the other person for some reason! Just remember that God loves them. What if we truly were to live like this? What if we put down everything just to make a difference in one person's life? Let us not stop at all costs to do this because we may never have a chance to save a life for Jesus. Live the life that Jesus has called you to live and do not be afraid to stick out to make a difference.

A new year, a clean slate....

So today is my 22nd birthday and I am grateful it is a new year for me and that I am starting with a clean slate. This year I have a lot of goals and am ready for the challenges along the way. First of all, I want to strengthen my relationship with Christ and treat everyone with respect and love. I want to reach out to people if they need it. A little bit of love can go along way. Secondly, I want to finish college and get a job that pays good. Thirdly, I want to start this year with a clean slate. We have all messed up, but receive second chances by the grace of God. I forgive anyone who has hurt me and I hope they can do the same. We are all broken somehow, but God's love is unbreakable. I also want to find that special someones and trust Him with it. 22 years of my life have past and I can finally see the light at last! :)

KEEPING THE RIGHT FOCUS

Keeping the right focus is usually a lot harder than I think. We sometimes get carried away with things or people that interest us and they seem to take our focus away on what really matters. There are soo many temptations that can take us away easily. We start putting all our focus on that person or thing and give it our all towards it. In the end that will be gone. For me it has been mostly with people. I put my attention and focus on certain people which i don't know why, when my focus should be on the people that will always be there for me. It can sometimes become too much attention and can ultimately ruin the relationship that was there. I have been guilty of not having my focus on what matters most recently which is my family and ultimately God. Once you realize where your right focus needs to be, life will be a lot more precious and change will start to take place in you. I have realized that gmc is no longer my focus and it was not even my focus to begin with. I made it my focus which brought farther away from God. My focus is straight on God right now because He is the only one that has my best interest along with my family. Let us not loose focus on what matters most in our life!

One more week to go.../Reflections

One more week to go at gmctv and I am kind of little sad it is coming to an end. I have learned soo much while I have been here and have met some of the most amazing people that I look up to professionally. I would like to work there someday, but I know I need a lot more jobs in the entertainment industry before that happens. I did not know what to expect when I came here, but I can honestly say it is one of the best experiences I have ever had. I don't know if it tops MCC summers, but it is close too it. I have gotten to do so many things like being in front of the camera, editing videos, doing behind the scenes stuff, and knowing the kinks of what makes a good Production Assistant. Before I first started this internship my supervisor, Tiffany Thorpe (who I have to say is someone I look up to a lot and she is pretty awesome too) told me that when you walk out of these doors, we want you to know what career path it is you want to take. This is so true. After going through this, I know exactly what I want to strive for. That is being more serious about my "mad editing skills" and doing a Production Assistant Training Seminar so I can be ready when I get my first gig. I lacked self-confidence before the internship, but through it I am more confident in my self that I can accomplish things that I never thought I would. Confidence will help me go a long way. There has been some ups and downs this summer, but I went at everything with full force and trusted God to lead me through everything that I faced. God knows what He is doing with me and He is not finished yet! One of the verses that I have lived by this summer is Phillipians 2:14-16. It has taught to shine like a star for the love of Jesus Christ and not to complain or argue about anything. We can go through this life knowing there is something more on the other side or live it like we have nothing. I would choose the first one. Live out the life that God has given you so you can be closer to Him. I am going to be sad when Friday comes, but it is not the end only the beginning. One thing I want to leave you with is this: Don't be afraid to go after what you love with all your might because it might be the one shot you got!

Thank you gmctv!! I love you all soo soo freakin' much!!!

WHAT FAITH CAN DO...

Faith can do so many things if you just trust in the Lord fully. The song by Kutless "What faith can do" has been an influence in my life. The lyrics are just so powerful and speak truly to itself. I have seen so many things happen with faith being at the center of it. With faith broken hearts get healed, illnesses become cured, jobs are provided, worrying becomes less, life becomes more enjoyable, and basically anything can happen if you let it. These past few months my faith has become stronger, but at the same time tested to. I have fallen a lot but with the faith I got back up on the saddle and kept riding. Friendships that i have had ended over unfortunate circumstances, but with the power of the Holy Spirit and trusting the Lord they have been healed and restored. I am grateful for that and continuing to trust the Lord to keep working in the other person's life and mine too. Wondering about the plan that God has for me is one of the areas that my faith has been tested. There are times when I don't know what is going to happen next or where I am going from here. It is the scariest thing, but over the past month I felt contentment and peace about the plan that God has for me. This summer God has been stretching me in all areas of my life and I am blessed greatly by it. I am more confident that I can do anything that is put in front of me and that I can accomplish tasks that I never thought I would. Faith is one of those things that we can't take for granted. It is the center of a fruitful relationship with Jesus Christ, just look at Hebrews Chapter 11 that describes what faith does for people who have it.

Some of the lyrics of "What faith can do" are below:

Everybody falls sometimes Gotta find the strength to rise From the ashes and make a new beginning Anyone can feel the ache You think it's more than you can take But you are stronger, stronger than you know Don't you give up now The sun will soon be shining You gotta face the clouds To find the silver lining  I've seen dreams that move the mountains Hope that doesn't ever end Even when the sky is falling And I've seen miracles just happen Silent prayers get answered Broken hearts become brand new That's what faith can do  It doesn't matter what you've heard Impossible is not a word It's just a reason for someone not to try Everybody's scared to death When they decide to take that step Out on the water It'll be alright Life is so much more Than what your eyes are seeing You will find your way If you keep believing  I've seen dreams that move the mountains Hope that doesn't ever end Even when the sky is falling And I've seen miracles just happen Silent prayers get answered Broken hearts become brand new That's what faith can do

So far...

So far God has been amazing, well He always is!! But this time I had to trust Him more than ever and it has been working! His faithfulness is overwhelming and I am grateful to serve such an amazing God! My internship has been amazing! The people there are amazing and such great examples of Christ to follow. I am thankful to be surrounded by such positive and encouraging brothers and sisters. I also am joining a college group at the church that I go to. My first bible study will be tomorrow with them so lets hope it goes well and I start forming other friendships. I want this verse to be my verse for the summer and I hope all of you can follow this to: “My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ". May God's grace be with you everyday!

Peace out,

Aly

As i get ready...

I leave for Atlanta on saturday. I start my internship on wednesday morning with Gospel Music Channel. I am really excited about having this experience to intern for such a large TV network. I am also nervous at the same time. I don't know what to expect from the people there or just in general, everything. This is going to be a time of perseverance and testing and relying more on God to get me through things. I will have to trust Him more than ever because I have never lived on my own with no one I know around me that I do not know or have worked at a full time job. It will be a growing experience for me and I know I will learn a lot of new things both professionally and relationally through communication. I am going to take to heart everything that I learn and everyone that I meet because it might be a life changing experience. My goal while I am there is to figure out if studio production is really what I want to do with my life and to develop a more firm foundation with Jesus Christ. I will keep you updated on how things go and different experiences that I encounter. :)

What a year so far and spring semester...

Greetings! Back in SC for a few weeks before heading off to ATL for my internship with GMC (Gospel Music Channel). I figured i should share some things i wrote this year. It has been a good year soo far and i am looking for the rest to come. :)

Monday, May 10, 2010 at 11:15pm

This semester is basically done which i can't believe. Only 2 more exams which will be a breeze. This semester has seen its ups and downs,

but God has been faithful and brought me through difficult circumstances. My friends and family have

also been amazing at giving me encouragement to stand tall. You know who you are!! I have learned a lot about my self, who my TRUE friends are, how to deal with broken relationships

and most importantly who God really is. As i head into this

summer i am really excited about the opportunities ahead and the experiences i am going to have. I

have a peace I have not felt in a while and it feels amazing.

Jesus is all i need and it does not matter what material/external things I have because in the end they will all fade away.

My goal for this summer is to get closer to Jesus and develop a firm and strong relationship with my Creator while at the same time showing the love of Christ to others around me especially those closest to me like my family. I want the time I have at home to be joyful and God-honoring. I am also going to get to do an

internship at the Gospel Music Channel for a month and a half.

This will be very challenging and different but I am very excited about it. Living on my own during that time will be a growing and learning experience and I will have to really trust God.

I am going to get to do what I love to do and be able to meet some awesome people!! This summer will be an adventure of a lifetime!!! I want to come back next fall more fit physically, but most of all on a spiritual high for Jesus. Thanks be to God for giving me life for You!!

My prayer for my fellow TFC students is that they will ultimately dwell in the presence of the Lord, serve Him wholeheartedly this summer, and see the glory of it all!!

"Thats what faith can do"
KUTLESS

Everybody falls sometimes
Gotta find the strength to rise
From the ashes and make a new beginning
Anyone can feel the ache
You think it’s more than you can take
But you are stronger, stronger than you know
Don’t you give up now
The sun will soon be shining
You gotta face the clouds
To find the silver lining

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do

It doesn’t matter what you’ve heard
Impossible is not a word
It’s just a reason for someone not to try
Everybody’s scared to death
When they decide to take that step
Out on the water
It’ll be alright
Life is so much more
Than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way
If you keep believing

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do

Overcome the odds
You don't have a chance
(That’s what faith can do)
When the world says you can’t
It’ll tell you that you can!

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do
That's what faith can do!
Even if you fall sometimes
You will have the strength to rise

Friday, April 23, 2010 at 6:48pm

What would life be like if Jesus really lived through me?? What would it be

like if we did truly have the Father's love?I think life would be so different.

Our world would be changed upside down if they took it seriously.

So many things will change. Love would be shown around and there

would be peace. Relationships would be easier and bondage would be broken.

There would be food for the hungary and shelter for the poor.

World peace would be brought to the nations and restoration would take place.

If Jesus Christ really did live in us we would not go on living day by day thinking about what is going to happen next.

We would want to strive every day live more and more like our Creator.

He brings us through many trials so we can capture the beauty of His heart and realize their is no one else like Him.

I believe this generation needs to rise up for the Father's heart.

We are placed here for a reason and that reason will be used for God's glory!! :-D

Sunday, April 18, 2010 at 12:21am

These past few weeks have been a little rough in some areas

of my life. I have learned a lot through everything

and God has lifted me out of the pit and has put my feet on solid ground.

It is amazing to see how beautiful He can make things in

its time (Ecc. 3:11). When we need something the most,

God will give it to us if we ask Him. I have been blessed

with soo much encouragement the past few weeks and

the people that God has put in my life are a blessing.

We never know when we lose a friendship, we will

gain many fruitful ones. I am grateful for that to be

happening in my life! Don't miss out on what God has

to offer because it can be something beautiful and

worth fighting for! I have come to a realization that

God has loved me all along, I just needed to keep

running towards Him! Keep trusting God and He

will give you the desires of your heart whether its a job,

a house, education, or a boyfriend/girlfriend.

He knows what is best for us and good will

come to those who love Him who have been

called according to His purpose!! :-D

* Hosea 6:1-3*
"Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence. Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth."

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"MY PASSION" Wednesday, January 13,

2010 at 2:21pm

So the past few years i have been getting my self into

making video/picture DVDs just for fun and for other

people. I never really felt it that it could be a calling

for my life. The past couple of days i have been praying

about my direction in life and a couple of people reminded

me to do what i love to do and what i am passionate about

and most importantly to go for it. Well my passion is to

glorify Christ through video/poem writing/picture

DVD's with music and anything that has to do with

technology/media. I definitley know that this is part

of the calling He has for me so i can reach a lot of

people. I have decided that I wanted to start a

ministry/business that will consist of making

picture/video DVD's for people.

This is the first time I am actually stepping

out in faith and doing something that

eventually one day could effect thousands of people.

The picture DVD's can be for anything such

as making a mothers day video for your mom,

a highlight of an event or school year, and

just anything that you would like. The topic

and pictures have to be appropriate though.

I can also do video and have access to the

equipment at school cause i am a

Mass Communication major. The video part

will be limited at the start because i have to do

a practicum for school which will consist of

making videos for the student run news

show (Eagle Vision) that i am involved in,

but if u have something in mind let me know

and i can see what i can do. I want the start

of this to be geared towards making picture DVDs

because that is what i mainly love to do and event promos.

The video part will eventually happen though.

At the beginning i said this was a ministry by

doing it because i am glorifying Christ through it,

but its also a business because i do need some money.

I am going to have a low charge of $5-$10

to start out with. It all depends on what you

want me to do and how long it is going to be, etc.

There are a few people that i will do it for free

(family, professors, and close friends)

The majority of the money I receive will go

to certain ministries or charities.

I don't know where this is going to go

but i know with God, encouragement from others,

and believing in myself anything is possible.

Thanks for the support and you know who you are!!! Blessings!!! :-D

PEACE OUT FOR NOW,

ALY